Paul's Plumbing Tips

4 Top Tips for Identifying and Fixing Common Water Heater Problems

Most homeowners rarely think about water heaters until a problem arises. However, a faulty water heater system will always show signs of failure in advance. Some of the common issues include rumbling noise in the hot water tank or smelly water. Homeowners can save themselves money if they fix such problems as soon as they notice them instead of waiting until the last minute when the whole system shuts down. Here are some top tips for identifying and fixing common water heater problems. However, consider hiring a hot water service to do the most sophisticated repairs.

Rumbling Sound -- Most often, the water heater will start to make a rumbling noise if a strict maintenance regimen is not observed. High levels of minerals often characterise municipal water. Despite the use of chemicals such as chlorine to break down the hardness of the water, some metals still end up settling at the bottom of a hot water tank. Furthermore, other impurities such as sand and dirt form a thick sediment layer that requires constant flushing. As the water and sediments get heated, they produce the popping sound. Apart from the noise, homeowners incur high energy bills for heating the water. Also, if you do not flush the system at least twice a year, the sediments can damage the water heater. A professional plumber will drain the whole system and clean the tank before refilling it with water.

Thermostat Problems -- A thermostat regulates heating temperatures of a water heater. Therefore, if you notice that your water is not getting hot enough, then the problem might lie with the thermostat settings, which may require adjustments upwards. Also, the thermostat might be faulty, and thus, you may have to buy a new one. Replacing a thermostat is no walk in the park, especially for novices. Therefore, hire a hot water service to do the work for you.

Size of Water Heater -- Homeowners should consider several factors, such as the number of occupants and hot water needs when buying and installing a hot water system. An inappropriate water tank size can cause a lot of inconveniences for a homeowner, including a high volume of cold water during morning showers. When you have installed a small tank, and there is too much demand for hot water, the water that will be coming out of the tank will not be warm enough.

Faulty Dip Tube -- A damaged or disconnected dip tube, which is responsible for pushing cold water to the tank bottom for heating, will cause cold and hot water to be diluted. The effect is cold water emanating from the tank. A technician should check the tank for signs of a broken or disconnected dip tube.

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About Me

Hello, my name is Paul. Until a few months ago, I had zero knowledge of plumbing. All that changed when I arrived home one evening to discover that the bathroom in my home had flooded with water. I was shocked and afraid. I tried to stop the water flowing out from the pipe beneath the sink but I could not. Finally, I remembered that I had to turn off the supply at the stopcock. Once I had done this, I called an emergency plumber who came around immediately. He helped to repair the problem and also gave me a basic plumbing education and some top tips to keep the system in good condition. Since then, I have started to teach myself more about plumbing.